Electkic signaling means



1. VlcFELL. ELECTRIC SIGNALING MEANS. APPLLcM'loN FILED' nic. 21. 1912-.

Patented Aug.- 15; 1916.

6 SHEETSTSH'EET l- W mm1* 1. lVIcFELL.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING MEANS. APPLICATION FILED DEc.2I 1912.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

'ssIIEETs-SHEET 2.

J. IVICFELL.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING MEANS.

APPLICATION FILED 056.21.1912.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3- l mm Mmes:

1.- MCFELL. 1 ELECTRIC SIGNALING MEANS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC- 21. 1912.

Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEEIT 4.

J. MCFEILL. LEcTmc SIGNALmG MEANS. APPLICATION FILED DEC2h l9l2.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

J. MCFELL.v

ELECTRIC SIGNALINGMEANS. APPLICATION FILED mc.21. 1912.

w n Patented Aug. 15, 1916.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

JUDSON McFELL, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING MEANS.

meines VTo all whom t may concern.:

Be it known that I, JUDsoN MGFELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county ofvCook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Signaling Means,'of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electric signaling means, and more particu,

larly, in some of its features, to means-for the annunciation of selected signals at signal-receiving stations relatively remote from` a common or central transmissionstation.

Systems embodying, in whole or in part,

my invention hereinafter described, may be employed for many uses, asin hospitals,

ofices, factories, and other places, for the annunciation of selected code signals; but 'one use for which my invention is very advantageously available is the provision of a store-service signal-system for calling employees. I have therefore shown my invention in a single embodiment especially adapted'for such use, as means of full disclosure,

although not intending thereby to limit my invention to such particular use, or to the specific structures illustrated further than i as ointed out inthe claims. l,

rimarily, it will be understood that inf a department store, for example, there may/be a dozen or more persons whose attendance ,in different parts of the store may be manded from time to time. Such persons should be subject to call, wherever they may be in the store, and it is advantageous that their calls be transmitted from a common or central station, preferably at the telephone switch board, in order that the person called may promptly attend at the central station or call up by telephone for instructions or to -ascertain where he is wanted.

It is advantageous in an electrical signaling system installed for the purpose of annunc'iating calls throughout a relatively large area, or at a large number lof receiving stations, as is the case in a department store,

thatl the calling mechanisms be wholly under the control of the central operator both to initiate and to erase the call signals and' that a signal once set shall remain set until intentionally erased by the central operator. In such an installation it is important that the manualv operations required of the central operator for the performance ofthe .operation specificati@ of Letters raient. Pawnee@ Aug, 115, any@ Application filed December 21, 1912.

Serial No. 737,969.

vsignaling duties be simple and capable of a signal system wherein the primary annun` ciation is visually effected as, for instance, bythe display of lights in such relations or positionsas to have code meanings, the display of each particular light indicatingthe call of acertain person or otherwise having some known meaning. Supplementally or alternatively, for some of lthe practices of my, invention, a code signal may be given by the flashing of lights to indicate number signalsor by aural annunciation of number A signalsby gongs or the like. The stations at which the annunciation is effected may be installed in anydesired number and'location, and where the display of distinctive lights, o-r lights in distinctive positions, is employed as a medium of annunciation, each annunciating cabinet is provided with a selectively operable electro-responsive means or selector for controlling, the light display.

' It is my preference, and I regard itfas highly advantageous, so to construct the light controllingmeans and the selectively operable electro-responsive devices that a plurality of signals may be displayed cotemporaneously, and that each may be independently erased as ai result of central station operation. 1

rIhe Various receiving station apparatuses are connected by simple wiring ywith a central station equipment comprising in general an automatic transmitter adaptedto transmit selective signaling impulses to the selector over the line wires ,of the receiving stations, anda controlling-key board the key-operations of which govern the operations of the transmitter, and therefore of the receiving instrumentalities, so that each ing and erasing signals may be performed by the simple depression of an appropri- Qf the central operator in initiatauf Selected hay .apta-fatty beata; Alle though thereis a-4 separate-key for each annunciator-operatingpart, the wiring is overtlie'sainelines.v lv y l .In.,.theffaccqmpanying -drawmgs wherein 10.-

minimized becauseo'f .the'lutiliz'ationj ofl the selectors",,atthe receiving station, the vanl ynu nciators ,ccintrolled by 4saidl selectors 'all vlactingy in response'f-'to .signals transmitted yI have illustrated an, embodiment ofmy 1in- A vention Figure "1 is al diagrammatic'view of -tailfof the'restoringyinember; .fis an enlarged perspective view of'p'ortions of the Y 'annunciator cabinet and its contained nl echanism;-Fig.'8 isa detail of certain of theselector 'mechanisms in. onel position; Fig- 9 f isja view showing the same parts in another' position; and Fig. is a detail inelevation with parts broken away' showinga` portion ofthe selector mechanism.'

In the system as shown in Fig. lit may y'be assumed that thereare 12 persons whose calls are tobe controlled, as indicated byf the' twelve large signal-light 'apertures of thesignalannunciating cabinet shown at the extreme right'ot-` the view, although the transmitter mechanisms' forbut' two-.parties fare shown in .detail .y 1 ,A The. Icentral? station' apparatusv comprises VI l the keys'are suitably- .collocated andvthis ,-board,`in "commercial practice, may be conveniently z located' on the table of thetelefphne .switchfboardgzoperator' This keyboard provides "a signalV initiator vor'4 calling j l `key l 16',--and, preferably, ya" .companion releasing I key 17,-individual to e'achgparty fi to be called, "orto the visual annunciator to be'. `'operated' by the selectors, "and it preferably provides-furthera' clearing-out key 1 8and l a special key `,19 forpurposes to be describedA 'so that allthat appears at' the central operators desk ina' 12-call .installation will be. 'I the 26 keys. i `F or purposes hereafter stated,v

a concealed' 'switch' is vpreferably provided on the key-board arranged to -be opened, to

remaln open, each-time a ,releasing key 17 is depressed,`andto beK closed, to remain closed, each vtime afcalling key 16 y is 'depressed. "Such switch, indicated at 20vmay be automatically caused so to operate by the v provision of a pivoting leaf or rocker plate 21 beneath the bank of-keys 16-17, said pivoted member having a link connection 22 with the blade of the switch 20 so that the depresin' et any'kej 17 will tilt the plate 21' to open'the sw-itch 20 whilev the depress io1`i of, any keyjl -wl'iile -the .switch'20is 'open will oppositelydepress'the plate 421 to close l'said switch. Y'

The transmitter 2d :illustrated is preferably wholly automatic, subject to vcontrol and `out of the way. In generalthe trans,

v'mitter preferably.y comprises a driving elecy tromotor25 geared down through gearmg v26. a/ndf27l'tofdrive'the ma-ilr transmitter sha'ft28'gpn'fwhichare mounted the si al fvt'heelsA '-A' mainl signal wheel 30is provided c -v only fromv the'keyboard,kand, withfalljits fappu'rtenant parts,l it .may -be located a'd-f fjacent tothe keyLbard for'j'economyin wiring, althoughits position vmay bel Aconcealed for eachperson-or for each-annunciator to be' controlled'by the 'receiving station selector, 'and preferably .each such wheel is supplemented with-ja companion wheel 31,l for sup- 'plemental signaling purposes,v or, direct annunciationthroughannunciators which arenot)'selector-controlled, all of thel wheels?` being secured on the sha'ftf28fto-'rotate in,

unison.' 4 Cam-j'wheelsfon the shaft 28 are providedvas at 32,133,734,`an'd 35,' for purposes lto "be zlaterdescr'ibed. A Vfour-point snap switch. -36 is also. preferably provided,U I

as a matter oreinementg to' be driven relaiv tively rapidly as the shaft rotates, vthe con# struction'shown in Fig. 2 arranging' such switch 36 von the pinionshaft of gear 27. In.A Fig. 1,' for'v simplicity of illustration, Ihave r .shown this switch transferred to the opposlte end 'of the' shaft together'with the gear 27, and have shown the fmotor directconnected to the Vshaft 28. 1 f

The wheel, 30, of each the shaft, .has on its periphery a series 'of teeth in continuing sequence, the sequential pair. provided lon number' for eachv wheel being one 'greater shown bear the numbers A3 and (5, illustratively. These wheels control the selector operation at'the, receiving station in a mannerv hereafter described. Each`wheel 31" hasu'pon vits periphery a Vcode-signal,

whichwmay be several. times. repeatedy indie,

eating preferably a plural-digit number sig- ;n'alto be'annunciated directly, as by bells or flashing lamps.' The two wheels 31 shown are adapted to send respectively the number 21 and the number yEach wheel 30 and 31v has associated with it a contact pen,

v shown at 37 and 38, thetwo pens appurtenant to each `pair of wheels being normally "out of the path of the teeth on their wheels than that` precedingyit'. Thevv two wheels and jointly subject todepression into the n' path of saiLdteeth by the action of an armaturel39 operated by a controlling magnet 39 individuall to that lpair of wheels. Thus bythe action of magnets 39 any selected pair of wheels may be conditioned for signaling operation. A high resistance starting magnet 40 is common to the circuit connections (hereafter described) for all of the lower resistance Ymagnets 39, and its armature 41 is arranged to act as a latch for trigger 42 on the upper bar 43 of apair of switch controlling'bar 43 and 44. Thus Awhen the magnet 40 once releases the bar erned by the bars 43 and 44 just as a` complete rotation of the main shaft is accomplished. By suitable circuit connections hereafter described, this mechanism enables the transmitter to control its own operation after its operation is initiated from the keyboard. For economizing current lf also further provide automatic means by which the contact pens 37 and 38 when once depressed by the armature 39 will be held closed regardless of denergization of magnet 39 until a substantially complete revolution ofthe main shaft has been accomplished. To this end I provide for each armature 39 a latch lever 46 pivotally mounted and forwardly pressed by a spring 47 so that a shoulder 48 on the latch presses laterally against a projection 49 of the armature lever. (See Fig. 2.) As soon as the armature lever is depressed the latch 46 is thrown forward so that its head rides over'the portion 49 of the armature, holding it depressed until the latch is mechanically restored to` its rearmost position. 'llhis restoring operation is accomplished through the action of apin 51 on one of the signal wheels,.coperatine with a pivoted finger 52 carried by the latch member, said finger having a knuckle joint with a portion of the latch member which carries it and being so disposed that when the latch is in normal or inactive position said finger is thrown by spring 53 to a position removed from the path of the pin 51, but when the latch lever is thrown'forward to operative position said linger is projected into the path of the pin 51. Consequently when the wheel approaches the completion of its cycle of movement its pin 51 engages the inger 52, tilts it to lock the knuckle joint and then, through the locked joint, forces the latch member rearwardly to permitthe armature 39 to be spring retracted by the resiliency of the contact pens.

Other features of structure ofthe transmitter may best be described in connection with their operation, but in general, as will hereafter more fully appear, the transmitter is operable respons'ivelyvto the keys of the key-board, the operation of any selected key kv16 of the key-board causing the transmitter to start and an appropriate pair of the signaling pens 37, 38, to be brought into coperative vposition with their respective wheels 30, 31, so that only the signal appropriate to the selected signal initiator 16 Vis sent. rIfhe transmitter operates automatically through a complete rotation of its main` shaft so that the signaling pens of the active Wheels send their signals over the appropriate line connections and then, at the completion of a cycle of rotation of the main shaft, the transmitter parts are automatically restored to normal condition ready for further operation.

The selective annnciator 'devices at the receiving stations are intended for selective operation so that, in response to the number of impulses-transmitted by the active wheel 30, a signal appropriate to the desired initiator 16 is displayed at an annunciator cabinet at each station. there is an' annunciator cabinet provided with a selector structure 60 comprising a ln each receiving stationplurality of movable parts 61, each correspending with one calling ykey 16 of the keyv board 15, and each movable to set its distinctive signal. .ln the specific constructicn shown, such movable parts are the lever arms 61 pivoted on a Vertical shaft 62 and carried, for limited oscillation with respect to said shaft, upon the rungs 63 of the ladder-like bearing frames 64 mounted on -the bottom of the containing cabinet 65. -Each of these parts'6l is movable to display or erase an annunciator signal, and obviously the translation Iof the movement of these parts into signal-operations may be` performedv in various Ways, but in the specific construction ,shown each lever arm has link connection 66 with the rock shaft 66 of a shutter 67 for an aperture 68 in the cabinet lwall so that by movement of the lever arm 61 the shutter may be opened or closed to Each such aperture, of course, is individual to some particular call, and the apertures are so arranged uthat anyperson subject to call may detect at a glance whether his call is displayed or not. To this end l preferably arrange for lighting the interior of the cabinet,-either continuously or when any signal it set,-by a lamp or lamps 70, and ll arrange theshuttered apertures 68 inY small banks separated or piloted by constantly open, readily-distinguishable, pilot apertures 69 to serve as indices or guides for the ready ascertainment of which particular signal aperture is uncovered. rlhus in a cabinet equipped with 12 signals, as shown at the extreme right of Fig. 1', the annunciating apertures may bearranged in banks of three each, two banks being arranged one above lldtll apertures l"169i beingy arranged between the whether or not his callis displayed." y

The individual movable parts' or levers -61 10 are governed in their Operation bythe movements of an operating finger 75, which,in the lspecific construction shown, is vertically movable into register with the desiredlever 61 to be operated, and is susceptbleof horizontal reciprocation to actu'ate said selected lever 61V.' `lVithin the casingI provide a *vertical shaft 7 6Lon which isslidable' cylindrical rack 77 carrying at-itslower end a rotatably movable arm 78fto the extremity of which the nger 75 is pivoted. The finger is normally positioned yieldingly in pre- 4.determined pivotal position by a pair of v springs 79 so that it may yield transverselyl -with respect-.t0 its line ofhorizontal reciprocation. The arm. 78 is verticallyA movable with'the cylindrical-rack 77 and is laterally reciprocable with a yoke-frame 80 which is .l r1'. kpivoted on the ,shaft7 6 and has in the ver tical memberthereof a slot 81 in which the'l 30 extreir'iity of arm 78 engages. The `finger 75 receives its two movements-selective elevation, and .actuating reciprocation-from two magnets 85 and'` 86 (Fig. 5) which I will i. term theselectin'g magnet and the actuating magnet, respectively. In general, a selecting magnet 85,- operating to elevate the rack 77, vfirst raises. finger 7 5i to position opposing the selectedoneof the. levers 6 1, the rack being vheld in such elevated position; and then the r succeeding' 'operationfvfof an actuating magnet 86l swings the frameV 80 and withit the arm 7 8 causing the finger 75 to make a ,horizontal reciprocation which acts uponv the selected part 61 to move it; Thereturn movement of the armatureofactiiating magnet 86 causes a release of the holding devices for the rack 77 so that said rack returns tonormal position, making the selective' apparatus selfrestoring, that it may be ready for another .selective operation.

Speciicallythe armature 87 of magnet'85` carries a live or active pawl .88. pivoted thereto and s ring' pressed toward .the rack 77, vthetail o said pawl88, when the armature lever is retracted, bearing on a fixed stop 89 so as to throw said pawl out of engager'hent with the rack. The end of the armature lever also preferably bears upon its extremity a sto pawl 90 so that, as shown in-`Fig. 9, w en/the armatureis attracted, the coaction ofthe two pawls 88 and 90 with the cylindrical rackvpositively forces the rack forward one` step,`but the stop-pawl prevents its over-throwing. When the armature l'ever 87 is'retracted bothpawls are 'moved out of engagement with the rack,

but a holding pawl 91 is provided, to hold the, rack in elevated position.' Below the tail of pawl91 is a trip linger 92 drawn upward toward o erative, position by the spring-93, said nger being pivoted on the armature of actuating magnet 86. The trip 92 is acted on. by the rack 77, so that when said rack is in its lowermost position the trip92 .is depressed Yout of operative relation to thelpawl 91, but on the irststep of the rack 77` upward, said trip rises to its plane -(if-operative relation to. said pawl 91. The construction 'is such that upon the attraction 'ofthe armature lever 95 of magnet 86 the'tip of trip 92 idly passes the end of the pawl 91, but on the retraction of the armature lever-the shoulder on said trip 92 engages the tail of the pawl 91 and throws said pawl out of engagement with the rack, thereby to free said rack foi` gravity return to normal position, where, striking on the trip 92 it throws said inger out of engagelment with pawl 91 and permits the pawl to resume itsoperative normal position. For operatingpthe swinging yoke 80 the armatu're lever 95 of the actuating magnet 86 has a simple link connection 99 direct withy the frame. Now it will b e apparent that when a given number of impulses pass through 4magnet y85 and then a single impulse passes throughmagnet 86 the result will befthe elevation fof the rack through the selected number of steps so that the finger may stand opposite'the desired lever 61, this selecting operation being'followed by a transverse swinging ofthe frame which causes finger 75 to perform its operation of moving the selected lever 1, the return movement of yoke 80 due to t e retraction Jof armature 'offmagnet 86 being also accompanied by a releasing action with respect to the holding pawl 91 for the rack 77 whereupon said rack returns to normal position, tripping out the vfinger 92 which causes the releasing action of pawl 91,'so restoringl all of the operating parts of the selector mechanism to normal.

It is my preference that two distinct operations of the part 61 be, required respectivelyto set and to release a signal, in order that the signal 'once set will be allowed to remain displayed as long as the central operator desires,-it being the plan of operation of the system herein specifically disclosed `that any selector-controlled signal once set 'same way they operate to closethe respective f l that of making all of. the electrical connecshutters, and I so arrange the levers 61 and the shutters, that each leverl may hold'any position to which it'is moved. Speciiically 1 provide in the hub portion of each lever two lateral recesses 61a and 61"l separated by.a

' peak 61, so that the notch formation' isof Vil-shape. Viewing, for example, Fig. 7 the arrangementof parts is such that when all the shutters are closed the horizontal reciprocation of the finger in the plane ofany one of said levers will cause the pointed end of said finger to ride down the left hand.

side 61a of the central peak of said lever, throwing said lever to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, the finger 75 yielding laterally to accommodate 'this movement.

i in opposite direction.

the central-peak and', sliding down into the This movement of the lever 61 carries the peak 61 leftwardly of the path of movement of the point of finger 7 5 so that on the next reciprocation of the finger in the same plane, it strikes on the right-hand incline of.

right hand recess 61h, acts to move the lever This insures that a plurality of reciprocations of the finger 75 in the plane of any given lever 61- will move said llever alternately to open and close its shutter.

1t is sometimes dsirableto close simultaneously all shutters that may be standing open, so aty the bottom of the stand of levers 01, iii the plane of the lowest Lor normal position of finger 75, I provide a lever 95 having` a single recess 9,6, and an extension arm 97 overlying all of the levers 61. When any lever 61 moves to shutteropening position it carries arm 97 of lever `95 along with it. Therefore when 'lever 95 is restored to normal positionV arm 97 restores all levers 61 that may be standing in shutteropening position.

While manifestly variouswiring plans' might be employed to connect the parts of the apparatus heretofore described, the plan of velectrical connection which l prefer is tions by which the keyboard controlsthe operations of the transmittenlocal tol those two devices and energized by local battery; and making the connections for thelainps, magnets, and'bells appurtenant to the sig.- nal receiving station connectible with a higher potential source Aof supply such as'- city lighting mains, by a minimum number of wires, 'the essential wires from the transmitter to all of the annunciatorcabinets being only three xininuriaber.v y i A The call and release keys 16and-17, for each number, both control a battery circuit which when closed includes the controlling magnet 39 for the4 appropriate pair of signaling wheels and the startingo magnet 40 which is common to all of the starting circuit branches. Specifically battery 100 has wire connections 101A dividing in mutiple branches 102 respectively extending to the swltches 103, each of which is susceptible of closure bye`itherv the callingkey 16 or the ance magnet 40 immediately becomes ener- 80 gized attracting its armature 41 releasing the latch 42 to permit switch bar 43 to fall until stopped by bai: 44 which rides upon the surfaces of cam wheel 34. The falling l of bar 43 'closes the threel switches 110, 111, 8'5 and 112. Switch 110 is connected in parallel with the coil of magnet 40 so that said coil is immediately short lcircuited 'to increase Athe current flow through the magnet 39.

Switch 111 connectswires 113 and 1.14, said 9o wire 114 connected through miniature switch-board -lamps 115 with wire 116, said i wires 113 'and 116v being respectively connected to wires 108,101 so that said miniature lamps; located on the switch-board, are energized from the battery- 100, and since they glow during the entire time that the transmitter is running they serve as indicators 'for the operator as tothe condition of the transmitting unit. The operator, of course, after initiating one call, must wait until these llights are extinguished before initiating another call. The switch 112 is contained in wire 118 bridging motor 25 across the supply mains 120-121 @onsequently assoon as the switch bar 43 falls closing switch 112 the motor starts in operation, driving tlie main shaft 28. Tmmediately upon the commencement of rotation of the main shaft the cam 35 closes the double 110 pole switch 122 which closes tlieconnections of power wires and 121 with the supply mains 120 and 121 respectively. This ,switch 122 -is latched in closed position by latch 123 which acts as an armature for the 115 releasing magnet 124 in circuit with the wire 125v connected between wire 113 and a normally open switch 126, controlled bythe clearing out key 18 of the` key-board and having continuing connection by ywire 127 120 to wire 101. Thus only by the'closure of clearing out key 1 8 energizing magnet 124 throughthe circuit 10o, V101, 127,126, 125

124, 113, 108, 100, can the power circuit switch 122 be opened after cnice it is closed.L 125 As `soon as the starting circuit has become energized as before described, causing the closure of switch 110 cutting out theresistance of said magnet from the starting circuit, the lowerlresistance magnet 39 becomes isa effectively energized and attracts 'its -arma-I i' tainsv until a completerevolution', of the -main shaft has been effected when .the pin 51 o nthe wheel 31 trips out the latch 46 and permits thesprings to raise the structure.

i This -latching mechanism iis used to economize battery current, and earlyfin the ,cycley of revolution 4of the mainv shaft the. cam33 permits the switch 107 to open,.b reaking the starting circuit.

The main shaft' and au' fitswheeis 3o! and 31`are connected in signaling circuits,

the battery 100 having one ofits terminals connected by -wire 130 to brush 131 bearing on the'main shaft 28. All :ofthe pens 37 fornumber wheels 'havefmu1tiple connections-133 by common wire 134 to a. relay 135 vvvhicli is connected' through wire 13.6 'to ,the wire- 127 whichis connected tothe oppovsite terminal of battery 100, so" that each time Iatooth of wheel 30 coacts with pens 37 Aif: 'establishes .a circuit 10o, 130,131-, 28, 30, 37,

133, 134, relay|'135.,5136, '127, 100, energizing the relay-'135. This relay 135 I will refer to 'as the selector controlling relay as' it governs the operation of selectors. at the several receivin-gstations in a mannerfhereater de-y scribed.

AAll of the contact `lpens`38 .having multiple connection by wires 14,0 "and" common y' 4wire 141 with'rela'y 142,l connected byy wire v'143, includingv switch 20,'-to wire r`127 so that v obviously as each tooth ofi the "wheel31` co- 40.. 'and the relay energized.- This' relay conacts. with its pen 38- (providing switch 20 is closed) the circuit Jfor relayf`142 is closed trolsthe number-signal annunciatorsfsuch asgongs and lamps-atthejsig'nal'receiving stationsv and I will refer 'to it as theiiiumlber-signal relay; Manifestly bothxrlelays 4are dispensable :intermediaries for 'relaying I -eo signal impulsesfromthe transmitter to the.y line,- their use obviating all possibility of chargingthe transmitter .with high-poten-i tial current-,which mightbe dangi'erous-toV attendants or damaging yto thejniachine. For'supplyingthecurrent to the two' magnets 85 and 86;,offeach signal receiving stal tion selecton apparatus, avvire 1 50 is run from the magnets 85- are connected-in multiple l f with-wire 151 extending back to power wire" 120 and including in its course ,thei armature 135. of the selectorcontrolling relay` 135 as aA movable `menilzie'r of afV normally' trolled open switch. `All of the operating magnets 86 'of the several selectors are connected in multiple to the return wire 153 which runs to a switch 154 controlled by the cam 32 on the main shaft of the transmitter, said Wire 153 also preferably including a normally closed switch 155 governed by the special key 19, and extending from said switch back to' the power wire 1205. The cam surfaceof rack is' stepped up to an appropriate position according to the number of impulses transmitted. Then, after the stepping up action is completed, but beforek the main shaft of the transmittercompletes its singlerevolution, switch 154 is closed so that a single impulse is transmitted through the circuit 151--153 .which includes the actuating magnets- 86 at allv of the signal receiving stations. The armature of eachsaid magnet 61 at each receiving station, and to restore rthefsel'ector rack v77 to normal posi tion. Y

l" 86 thereupon makes a single reciprocation l `to operate the appropriately selected lever The lamps 70 .within the 'respective an- I nunciator cabinets mi ht be caused to glow constantly if desired, y simple direct con.

nectioii with the v'power circuit connections 12W-121', but I prefer that the connection be such that thelamp be energized either to flash a number signal, or so as to flicker, to attract attention, wheneverl anew signal is being sent. To get the flicker. effect wheneverthetransmitter is being operatedthe. rotar snap switch`36-isprovided as hereto- `fore escribed, light wires and 161 being: .A

throughsaid switch `and-multiple connec- 'vtions' made `from said light ,wires /to the' cabinetsl" Onlyone cabinet is'sliown so conv `Fnected in the drawings." .Manifestly aslong power wire 121* throughout thebuildingto i the severalreceiving stations, for` multiple. connection with allofl said magnets at said f "stations, separate return wiresbeing pro- A vided to connect inag'nets 85-and 86' respec- "tively with lthe vpowerf.vvire 1202 All off as thetransmitterfis in` operation the-'rota- Tt'io'ii' ofl the switch 36 l prod ces a regularI make-"and break fof the ligh ing circuit to iicker thela'rnpsii Whenever the transmitter vcomes to' rest.- thelam number signals "of wheels 31 said lamps are 'connected for control vfr om the relay 142.

The relay142 may have two switches conbyits ariii'ature 142', one saidl switch,

163, being closed whenever the armature is retracted. 'llhis switch is connected with a wire 161 extending from the power wire 120 tofthe several receiving stations for connection, if desired, to the lamps 70 as indicated in the eXtreme right in Fig. 1, return connection of the lamp being made by common return wire 166 extending back Vto power wire 121. Wherever desired supplemental signal lamps 167 may be bridged across the' wires 164-166 so that number signals as initiated by the wheels 31 may be visually displayed wherever desired throughout the store by the flashing of the lamp on said circuit. The second switch -170 for armature 1-12 is preferably arranged to be closed when the armature is in an attracted position, and said switch is contained in the wii'e 171-running physically parallel with the wire 166v throughout the building, so that gongs or other Aaudible signaling means 172 may be bridged across the wires 166-171 to respond by audible number signals to the circuitclosing operations of sign l wheels y31. `Manifestly as far as the display of the annunciator signals by the openings of the shutters of the cabinet` is concerned the wheels 31 and all of the parts affected thereby may be dispensed with. It is usually desired, however, to give both audible and visible signalsjand with the construction shown both these results, may be attained, and atthe same time the releasing operations for thecabinet signals effected by operation of release keys 17 may be performed without repeating the audible signals.

Among other dispensable features of my invention, which however are advantageous refinements, is a provision of the shutter closing means controlled by the clearing out key 18, said key, (inaddition to the switch 126 heretofore described,) also controlling a switch180 arranged in the wire 181 which is connected to wire 153 at points on oppo site sides of switch 154. Consequently whenever switch 18 is closed the circuit 15G-153 for theI operating magnets 86 of all the selectors is,closed, causing each thereof to l make a horiZontal-reciprocation of the actuating finger 75 sothat it may act on lever arm 95 to restore al1 of the levers 61-to closed position so 'closing all of the shutters. The

l y closure of the switch -126 by the key 18 completes the circuit from releasing magnet 124 which releases latch 123 and allows switch from which the cabinet lights are energiae'd. This key 18 is used only where it is desired for some purpose to erase all signals',

- the cabinets.

,122 to open so breaking thepower circuit` v the transmitter to operate continuously, (but idly, -as far as any operation of the signal wheels 30 and 811s concerned,) simply for the purpose of causing the switch 36 to make the lights 70 in al1 of the cabinets flicker to indicate to all observers that there are unanswered calls that require attention. This obviously may be used as an imperative signal, for when the flickering of the cabinet lights continues without new calls being set every observer will knowy that the 0perator is pushing the special button 19. r1`he button 19 is provided with a latch 19, shown as a simple feather which slides in the slot in the supporting structure and may be turned to lock the key in lowered position until intentionally released. The depressionl of the key 19 opens the switch 155 so that the continuous rotation of the main shaft will not'cause impulsesv to be sent through the circuit 150-153 and therefore the actuating magnets 86 of the respective cabi- Jnets are not energized. For closing the starting-magnet circuit to insure constant operation of the transmitter a normallyopeny switch 185 is provided connected by wires 186 and 187 respectively to wires 101 and 105 sol that upon closure of said switch by key 19 astarting circuit includingv magnet 40 is established by the path 100, 101, 186, 185, 187, 105, 10, 10e, 107., 108, 100.

In rsum it will be observed that my system provides at the cent-ral operators station a switch-board having a signal-initiating switch (108) individual to each signal intended to be transmitted, and at a signal receiving station a movable part (lever 61) .individually corresponding to each said switch and intended to be moved in response to the switch operation. 'lllie movement of this movable part (61) is ,suitablyntrans lated in some way into a distinguishable signal, as in this case, by the opening of an appropriate one of a series of shutters (67) fe" visual display of the casing-contained light through the opened orifice. 'llhe closing of any signal initiating switch starts in operation the automatic transmitter by closing a circuit for starting nia-gilet 10 the energization of which permits the closure of switclij`112 for the transmitterdriving motor 25. The transmitter causes a number of impulses individual to the particular signal-initiating switch 103 to be transmitted in the signal line for the several signal receiving devices, this operationJ being accomplished by the energization of magnet 39, individually connected to the se= lected switch 103, which said magnet con- Y 30 and soto send the appropriate number The special key- 19 may be used to cause'` of impulses in the line circuitI15O-151 eX- i tending to all of the selecting magnets at i the several signal receiving stations.' The magnet 85 controls the selective function of .the selector 60, the reciprocations of its armature in response to the number of impulses transmitted to it causing the selector Arack 7 7 to be stepped up so that the operating linger 7 5 registers with that movable member 61 which is individually appropriate to the selected initiating switch 103.

The further automatic action of the trans-A mitter,.after thisv selective function has been performed, closes the circuit for the actuating magnets 86 of the receiving stations, the

lclosure of switch/1:54 by thetransmitter cam 32 establishing the magnet circuit 150-153 appurtenant to saidl magnet 86. The energization of this magnet 86`r'hoves the selector finger horizo'ntally (through its connection with `the yoke connected-to the armature 'of magnet 86) so effecting amovement of the selectedmovable part-61 witha'. resultant annunciation of the desired signal. yThe denergization of magnet f 86, trips (through the operation of the releasing device 92) the holding.' pawl 91 f orthe selector rack and permits it'to 'return to initial position, so restoring the-selector vparts to and indirect." signals for the reason that While i the indirect-signaling apparatus mayemploy a continuing sequence of impulse-numbers for selector operation `running up to any desired number, the audible f signals should preferably consist of short'groups of impulses indicative of plural digit number signals, several times repeated, so as to avoid the possibility of miscount. For this reasona second set of wheels 31 is employed in the transmitter, `controlling the energ1zat1on' of relay 142 which.. governs the circuit 166-171 for .thegongs 17 2 of the several receiving stations and which may also control the lightin circuit 166-164 for giving visual num er signals either .through the lights 70 vwithin the cabinet or through separate lamps 1,67. Where these two systems are combined, however, it is important that the operation of the Switch 103 to `re-y lease` the indirect, or cabinet signal shall not repeat the call through the auxiliary direct-number-signal,devices, (z'. e. the gongs yand lamps 167;). and it is for this reason pri- -marily'that separate calling and. releaslng.

.keys are employed. l The depression'of any normal. After onerotation of the transmitter it automatically comes'to rest-by'open-f ing of motor switch 112. It/is my preference thatv the visual signalfannunciatedas a result of this selective operation `shall continue to be set until it be intentionally erased, and that" other vsignals. may be set.

without disturbance of the first. This result is attainable,for'one example, with the .l shutter construction shown. For release of the set signal the saine selective function is performed as in setting said signals, and it 1s my reference that the magnet-moved parts'o theselector perform exactly the same actions .in releasing a signal as in setting it.V Therefore Iconstructthe .movable-` members. 61 sov. that upon 'similar successive .operation of the selector fin er 75-witlrrerelease key 17 opens the switch 20 which 1sI included in ffthe `circuit of relay 142'so thaty while asl far as the transmitter y'operations fand-'the` selector operations are concerned the closureof release key -17 has thesame eifectlv i as theclosure off signal initiating keyl6, the relay 142 for the supplemental or d1- rect signal devices is disabled by `the' depression of. a'releasekey and remains disableduntil-somesignal initiating key issubsequentlydepressed to tilt the pivotedframe 21 and again close 'theswitc'h 20.

The function of the clearing out key 18 is to release simultaneously all mdirect, or selector-set signals vthat may be set A1n the annunciator "cabinets `and to extinguish the' lights infsaid cabinets. ADepresslen ofthe.. ley `18 first .closes switchl80, which closes 4the-circuit -1 50-153 for, all vof the selector spectltoth'e same part 61, sa d Apart-'will al for visual .number-sign ternately' moveto .set and to!- erase-fthe Isignal, this effect being attained by thegdouble recess construction finithehubofthepart 611;' Consequently to eras e"1anysig'rial' `y set; `only secondv closure'of theapprpriatefsfwitch 103 is requisite.V vIt wille-be-notedf-that the construction requires nogholding devices forj;

lever-S61, which will stand still inany. po-

sitio'n to which they may be moved;

While the system l'thus far sur'nmarizedf is"` signal witha direct signal, either an audible transmitter number wheels. Under these clrcumstances lit -is preferable not to employ v tl-ie'sainewheel to occasion both the directl 'cpmplete and operativen inf itself, ift ,lis oft tn'nes preferable in practiceto supplement* lthe indirect, or selector controlled visual governed by the actuating-magnets 186,- causing the actuating fingers 75 lto make ahorizontal recipro.-

'The' V' functionoj the rotary `switch-:'36 is -Arcation without any preceding .step-up ac f,tion,f.thereby to vactuate the restoring levers g. .y associated withthe 'movable --members l 61 -'merelyl to cause the lightsinv vthe cabinets to flicker while the transmitter 1s11nloperation, .andthe-function of :special key 19 is to 'permitthis flickering to. be effected.

continuously as long as .desired without transmission of anyslgnal, said key 19 controlling. theswitch which will-close ai i I magnet 40 anda circuitv for the y s tartin switch 2155"'wh1ch Wi openthe circuit lasl will` t@ signal.

memes 150-153 of the selector operating magnet 86.

I have herein described in some detail a particular embodiment of my invention,"

im the spirit of my invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

Vhat l claim is:

l. Selective signaling means comprising, in combination, an operators key-board hav- .ing a plurality of self-restoring signal initiators, each individual to a signal to be transmitted; an automatic self-restoring transmitter responsive to each signal initiator to transmit a different signal; suitable line con- 2@ nections from said transmitter-to a receiving station, and at the receiving station a plurality of parts to be I noved corresponding with the 'respective signal initiators` and each movable to two alternative positions,

at and a self-restoring selector operatively associated with the line connections and responsive to each line signal to select and actuate from either of its positions to the "other the appropriate part -to be moved.

2. Selective signaling means comprising, in combination, lan operators .key-board having a plurality of switches each individual to a signal to be transmitted and an automatic transmitter comprising an electro- 't magnet for each key switch, a plurality of signal wheels and line switch mechanism therefor respectively controlled by said key controlled ymagnet and responsive to the closure of any key switch to transmit the au signal impulses individual thereto, suitable line connections from said line switch mecht5 respectively corresponding with the several signal initiating switches and said selector comprising means common to all of the parts to be moved to select and actuate the appropriate part in response to eachv line 3. lin a selective signaling system the combination of apcentral station transmitter operable to transmit predetermined signals, receiving. station apparatus comprising a t5, plurality o f parts to be moved each individual to one of said predetermined signals and each movable alternatively to two positions, a selector responsive to such predetermined signals to select and actuate from @o either position to the other, the appropriate ceiving station apparatus comprising at one station a group of separate annunciating means for ,giving a number of different signals, a plurality of parts to be moved respectively -controllingcertain of said signal-annunciating means, electro-responsive means, including a common selecting magnet, for selecting any one of said parts to be moved; electro-responsive means including a common actuating magnet, for actuating the selected part to be moved, circuit connections for said magnets, and a 'central station transmitter operable to transmit impulses through the selecting magnet to select anyde'sired part to be moved, and to transmit impulses through the actuating magnet to actuate the selected part to be.

moved.

5. Selective signaling means having in combination, receiving station apparatus comprising separate annunciating. means for giving a number of different signals, a plurality of movable parts respectively controlling certain of said signal-annunciating means; a selector comprising means, including a selecting magnet, to select any one ofl said parts to be moved, a common means, including'an actuating magnet, to actuate the selected part .to be moved and restore the selector; to normalVcondition, suitable circuit connections from said two magnets to the central station, and central station transmitting means selectively operable to transmit impulses through the selecting magnet for selection of the appropriate part to be moved, and thereafter to transmit an impulse through the actuating magnet forv actuation of said parts to be moved.

6. In a selective signaling means, an annunciator cabinet providing a plurality of signal display parts, a plurality of parts to be moved each to cause the display of one of said signals, electro-responsivemeans common to all of said parts to be moved to select and actuate singly any one thereof,line circuit connections to said electro-responsive means, and, at a transmitting station, a selectively operable plural-impulse transmitter associated with said line connection, and controlling the electro-responsive means to cause the display of any desired signal.

7. 'in a selective signaling system, line connections extending from a transmitting station to a plurality of receiving stations; at each receiving station an annunciator cabinet having al plurality of signal display parts each individual to a signal, an electro,-

responsive selector connected with the line `connections and operable to select and' actuate any one of said signal display parts; at a transmitting station, a transmitter having parts settable for the transmission of different impulse-groups in the line suitable to actuate the selector to select any desired dis-V filtransmitter to set it for transmission of the impulse group appropriate to secure `response ofr the corresponding display part.

8. In a selective signaling system, the combination of line circuit connections from a transmitting station to a plurality of receiving stations, at each receiving station an annunciator cabinet having a plurality of movable signal display devices, and electroresponsive means common to all of said devices for selecting and operating the appropriate ones of said devices in response to different numbers of line impulses, and signal transmitting means at the transmitting station comprising an operators key-board and means responsive to the operation of each key to transmit a line signal appropriate for the selection and actuation of the corresponding display devices at the receiving stations.

connections to transmit setting and releasing signals to said selector, and code signals to the other annunciating means, and means 'whereby' said ltransmitter effects the direct annunciators only when it is -setting annunciators through said selector, and not When it is releasing said selector-set annunciators.

10. In a selective, signaling system, the combination of receiving station apparatus comprising a plurality of annunciators, a

- common selecting and actuating means for all of said annunciators including parts to set said annunciator at one vselective operation and to release it at the next similar selective operation of said selector; line circuit connections for said selector means and selective transmitting means associated With the lines.

11. In a selective signaling system, a selective transmitter, line connections therefor, a selector connected With the line, a plurality of lamp-illuminated visual annunciators se` lectively controlled by said selector and means controlled by the transmitter for flickering the illumination of said annunciators. f

12. In a selective signaling system, a selective transmitter, line connections therefor, a selector connected With the line, a plurality of lamp-illuminated visual annunciators selectively controlled by said selector and means controlled by the transmitter, and

plurality of closable openings, a like plurality of parts to be moved for opening and closing said openings, selector means for selecting and operating any one of said parts to be moved, line connections for said selector, and selector controlling plural-impulse signal transmitting means for control-A ling all of the si als.

14. In a selective signaling system, the combination of receiving station apparatus comprising a plurality of annunciators, conimon electro-responsive selecting and actuating means for all of said annunciators operable alternately with respect to any annunciator to set it on one operation and release it on the next similar operation, line connections for said selecting-and-actuating means, and central station means for-controlling said selecting-and-actuating means.

15. In a selective signaling system, the combination of receiving station apparatus comprising a plurality of annunciatois, common electro-responsive selecting and actuating means for all of said 4annunciators operable alternately with respect to any annunciator to set it on one operation and release it on the next operation, line connections for said selecting-and-,actuating means, central station means for controlling the setting of said selecting-and-actuating means individually, and central station means for releasing the annunciators individually, or in unison at will.

16. In a sele` tive signaling system, the combination of eceiving station apparatus comprising aplurality `of annunciators, a self restoring lselector cbmmon to all of said annunciators, for selecting and actuating any one thereof, said selector operable alternately With respectV to each annunciator to set it on one operation and to release it on the next Aoperation rand havingy means for releasing all of the annunciators in unison.; circuit connectionsfor said selector and central station means controlling the said operations of said selector.

17. In a zselective signaling system, tlie combination of receiving station apparatus comprisin a plurality of annunciators, a self restoring selector common to all of/'said annunciators for selecting and .actuating any one thereof, said selector operable alternately With respect to each annunciator to set it on one operation and to release it on the next operation and havingineans for releasing all of tlie annunciators in unison; circuit connections for said selector, and

.central station means comprising an automatic transmitter associated with the line lio to transmit setting and releasing signals to said selector, and means independent of said transmitter for controlling said selector to release all of the annunciators in unison.

18. In a selective signaling system, a selector comprising a plurality of parts to be moved, a selecting electromagnet common to said parts to be moved for selecting any onel thereof; an actuating magnet common to said parts to be moved for actuating the selected one thereof; a circuit for the rst said magnet having a plurality of line switches therein, a circuit for the second magnet having a switch therein and central station transmitting means` comprising a motor driven shaft, a plurality of number wheels thereon for coperation with the respective line switches and a Wheel for coperation with the switch of the other circuit, automatic motor stopping means controlled by the shaft, controlling magnets associated with respective line switches to condition them for cooperation with their respective signal wheels, electro-responsive motor starting means, and a central station key board comprising a key foreach signal wheel; a switch controlled by each said key, and circuit connections for each said switch including its respectively appropriate controlling magnet and the motor starting means.

19. ln a signaling system, the combination of a bank of visual annunciators, a plurality of parts to be moved controlling said annunciators, a selector magnet 'common thereto for selecting any part to be moved, an actuating magnet common thereto, for actuating the selected parts to be moved, a circuit for the first said magnet, a circuit for the second said magnet, and central station means for transmitting different selecting signals in the first said circuit followed by an actuating impulse in the second said circuit.

20. In a selective signaling system, the combination of a plurality of annunciators, a like plurality of operating keys, circuit connections and means to energize the same, selective signal transmitting means responsive to the operationl of any key to transmit a corresponding signal; and annunciator selecting and actuating means responsive to any said Vsignal t'o select and actuate the corresponding annunciator, to set and release such annunciator alternately.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JUDSON MCFELL.

In the presence of- FoRE BAIN, W. LINN ALLEN. 

